Good Trouble - About Us

About Us

We envision a future where learning experiences are co-designed by youth and adults to discover, honor, and elevate every young person’s unique gift to reclaim democracy and education. Good Trouble’s work is based on the leading research behind what motivates youth. Evidence shows that youth thrive when these core needs are met:

Belonging: Positive relationships with adults and peers
Real Work: Learning focused on gaining real world career experiences and credentials
Purpose: Making a difference in the world beyond oneself

Meet the Founders

JOSE PEREZ

Co-Founder, Chief Troublemaker

Prior to GOOD TROUBLE, Jose Perez was a founding executive, policy director and board member of Bridgemakers, a youth-led Minnesota nonprofit. His struggles with conventional education inspired his passion for transforming schooling. An English learner with dyslexia, Jose failed the first and ninth grades and has justice system experience. He’s the son of a father deported to El Salvador when he was one and raised by a single mother, a Guatemalan immigrant.
Jose also launched and co-led Bridgemakers’ Transforming Schools to Transform Lives initiative. He has testified five times against closing teacher licensure pathways at the Minnesota Legislature. Jose has presented at several national conferences, including Reclaiming Youth at Risk, Education Reimagined, Annie E. Casey Foundation and Bush Foundation. An R&B artist and St. Paul native, he’s a graduate of the High School for Recording Arts in St. Paul.

JULIAN SPENCER

Co-Founder, Movement Lead

Prior to GOOD TROUBLE, Julian co-led the Transforming Schools to Transform Lives initiative as policy coordinator at Bridgemakers. His passion for disrupting the school to prison pipeline comes from facing adversity early. Julian’s five years of troublemaking and justice system involvement began as a 6th-grader when he was expelled from school. Becoming a father at 16 sparked his desire to help other youth avoid similar struggles.
Julian also serves on Hennepin County’s Youth Advisory Board and co-chairs Youthprise’s Policy fellowship. He’s presented at 5 conferences, including the Aspen Institute, Reclaiming Youth at Risk and High Tech High Graduate School of Education and testified twice at the Minnesota Legislature. Julian is a graduate of North High School in Minneapolis and the proud father of a three-year-old daughter.